THE BOOKIE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 863, 9 July 1910, Page 4

THE BOOKIE.

DISCUSSION IN AUCKLAND. A great deal of interest is being manifested in commercial circles in Auckland in the question of deciding what steps shall be adopted to give practical effect to the recent remarks of Mr Justice Chapman upon the extent of the gambling evil, and particularly in regard to the bookmaker. The matter has been actively taken up by the merchants, many of whom have already approached the Auckland Ministers’ Association upon the subject. To-day a strong committee, consisting of nearly twenty of the leading business men, was formed to vigorously prosecute the campaign in favour of an amendment oi the law. It is stated that the number ot bookmakers plying their calling at the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting during the past year has ranged from thirty to fifty per day, and that as much as a day has been paid by them in license fees. It is stated by one business man, who has gone into figures, that since the present Act was passed, in 1907, gambling has increased three or four fold, and it is submitted that as practically the same amount as formerly has been put through the totalisator the great increase must be due to the licensing of the bookmakers.